Towards an Independent Ireland, 1900-22

Ireland in 1900 Colony of Britain Part of British Empire since Act of Union (1800) Had no govt. Ruled by Westminster-parliament in London Irish MPs had to go there. Lord Lieutenant (Viceroy) and Chief Secretary represented the king and British govt

Nationalists Nationalists wanted changes in the way Ireland was ruled. They wanted some form of self-govt, with a parliament in Dublin Largest nationalist group was the Home Rule party led by John Redmond. Mainly Catholics in South of Ireland Why? 1) To protect Irish culture 2) Parliament in Dublin would rule Ireland better

What was Home Rule? Parliament in Dublin- Internal affairs such as education, roads a Westminster deal with external affairs such as peace, war, customs and trade British monarch should King/Queen of Ir. Goals achieved by peaceful means

Irish Republican Brotherhood (I.R.B) Secret revolutionary organisation known as Fenians. Wanted complete independence from Britain Establish a republic (a country without a monarch) Only physical force or rebellion could achieve this

Arthur Griffith founded Sinn Fein (1905) Wanted a dual monarchy for Br. And Ir. Develop Irish industry by using tariffs (customs duties) By parliamentary abstention. Irish MP’s withdraw from Westminster and set up parliament in Dublin

Unionists Unionists wanted to keep the system as it was, with a parliament in Westminster making laws for Ireland British govt. And King would have representatives in Dublin. Unionists and Unionist party lived mostly in North East. Supported by British political party, Conservative Party Protestants= 25% of pop. Believed Catholics would discriminate against them under Home Rule. ‘HR is Rome Rule’ Belfast’s industries were prosperous because of British markets. These markets would decline if Ireland won HR

1900: Pay and working conditions were bad The Labour Movement 1900: Pay and working conditions were bad Jim Larkin started trade unions in Belfast, Dublin and Cork I.T.G.W.U (Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union) Fought against Employers’ Federation led by William Martin Murphy 1913: Strike in August. Employers locked out any members of ITGWU. Employers had support of govt, police and Catholic chu. Dublin Lockout last 5 months, Jan, 1914 went back to work

James Connolly was another important labour leader Founded Irish Citizen Army to protect workers during Lockout Larkin and Connolly founded the Irish Labour party to represent workers in HR parliament

The Home Rule Crisis, 1912-14: Conservative Party ruled Britain from 1895 to 1906 1906: Liberal party took over. They supported Home Rule 1910: Liberals need support of HR party. Passed a new lax in 1911-the Parliament Act= House of Lords could delay laws for only two years HR seemed likely 1912: Lib. Led by Prime Minister Asquith introduced Third HR bill Parliament in Dublin would deal with internal Irish affairs Parliament in Westminster would deal with external affairs

Unionist Opposition: Unionist leaders, Carson and Craig, believed that if they opposed the bill strongly, the British govt.. Would drop HR. Organised opposition Huge demonstrations against HR. Carson would set up govt.. In Belfast to rule Ulster if HR came 28 Sept. 1912: Ulster Solemn League and Covenant was signed by over 0.5 million people. Would use all means to defeat HR Jan. 1913:Ulster Volunteer Force (U.V.F) established. 100, 000 members. Army against HR Unionists got arms and ammunition from Germany. Conservative party and their leader, Bonar Law supported Unionists 1914-Curragh mutiny: British army refused to impose HR on Ulster

Nationalist Reaction: Nov. 1913: Eoin MacNeill, Prof. Of History, UCD, suggested Irish Nationalists should their own volunteer force Nov. 1913: Irish Volunteer Force founded. 1914: 100,000 members IVF: People from HR party, IRB and Sinn Fein. IRB used IVF as a cover for its plans 1914: Arms and ammunition from Germany. Landed in Howth

The Threat of Civil War: Third HR bill was going through British parliament. No compromise between Nationalists and Unionists. Civil war looked likely. But the crisis came to a sudden end August 1914: Britain declared war on Germany. WW1 began HR became law on 18 Sept. 1914 but suspended until end of WW1

Reaction to World War 1: Carson and the Unionists supported WW1. Best way to maintain union with Britain, protect the British empire and get special treatment after the war Irish Volunteers split over WW1. Majority followed John Redmond, leader of HR. He believed Irish should fight in WW1. Believed they would get HR after WW1. Known as National Volunteers. 110,000 Minority wanted to defend Ireland at home. Irish Volun.=10,000

The 1916 Rising IRB made plans for a rising when WW1 started. They believed that, ‘England’s difficulty was Ireland’s opportunity’ Main leaders were Patrick Pearse and Thomas Clarke Decided rising should take place at Easter, 1916. Persuaded James Connolly and Irish Citizen Army to join them Roger Casement went to Germany to get arms and ammunition. IRB military council decieved Eoin MacNeill and Irish Volunteers. Needed for men for the rising but MacNeill didn’t believe Irish people wanted a rising. Irish volunteers would only rebel if they were attacked by the British govt or made to join British army (conscription). Military Council forged ‘The Castle Document’- that said British govt. Wanted to disarm the Volunteers. MacNeill agree to go ahead ewith drills for Easter Sunday Looked as if Rising would work out. Arms would be landed in Kerry and there would be a national rising

The Plans go wrong: The Aud carrying all the arms and ammunition was captured in Kerry. All the weapons were sunk in Cork harbour. Roger Casement was captured MacNeill found out that the ‘Castle Document’ was a forgery He cancelled the Volunteer manoeuvres for Easter Sunday IRB military council decided to go ahead on Easter Monday with the rising. Would be mainly in Dublin and had no hope of military success.

1916 Rising: Easter Monday- 1500 Volunteers started the Rising Took over key buildings in Dublin city centre British govt taken by surprise. Soon outnumbered rebels 20 to 1 The rebels in the GPO were shelled by British artillery By end of the week, the city centre was in ruins Patrick Pearse surrendered

The Rise of Sinn Fein 1917: Sinn Fein decided to look for an independent Irish Republic Eamon De Valera, the only surviving leader of the 1916 Rising, took over as leader of SF from Griffith and President of the Irish Volunteers Sinn Fein’s popularity grew and the HR party declined 1918: Br govt wanted to introduce conscription (compulsory military service) to Ireland. SF opposed this and their leaders imprisoned. SF became even more popular

1918 General Election: The general election was held in December 1918 SF won 73 out of 105 seats in Ireland. Their policies were: An independent Irish republic Abstentionism (Withdraw from their own parliament rather than go to Westminster) Violence might be used to achieve their aims

The Independence Struggle, 1919-21: SF organised passive resistance, policy of opposing the Br govt without using violence Irish Volunteers or now Irish Republican Army (I.R.A) organised a guerrilla war campaign

SF and the First Dail: Jan. 1919- First Dail met. HR party and Unionists refused to attend De Valera was President of the Dail. The First Dail issued: The Declaration of Independence A message to the Free Nations of the World A programme to improve living and working conditions SF govt had; Control of local govt SF courts to try people for crimes Dail loan to raise money

The War of Independence, 1919-21: The War of Independence began when Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) was ambushed in Soloheadbeg, Tipperary by the local IRA IRA used guerrilla war tactics. Ambush or ‘hit and run’. Attacked RIC to get arms and ammunition.

Michael Collins: IRA used spies to gather information. Organised by Michael Collins Had a special group called the ‘Squad’. Their job was to kill spies and detectives

Flying Columns: ‘Flying Columns’= IRA men who lived off the countryside, getting food and shelter from local people. Leaders such as Tom Barry, Liam Lynch and Ernie O’Malley

British Response: David Lloyd George, the British Prime Minister recruited Ex- soldiers known as ‘Black and Tans’ Ex-officers known as the ‘Auxiliaries’

Major Incidents of the War of Independence: Tomas MacCurtain, Lord Mayor of Cork was murdered by the RIC Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor after MacCurtain died on hunger strike after 74 days because he wanted to be treated like a POW Bloody Sunday, 21st November 1920: Collins ordered the Squad to kill a group of British agents sent specially to kill him In revenge, the Black and Tans shot 12 people in Croke Park IRA attack on the Custom House, Dublin, May 1921: The Custom House was burned, but the attack led to the capture or death of over eighty members of the Dublin IRA

Peace: By now, both sides wanted peace The IRA was running short of men and ammunition People wanted peace Br. Govt was being criticized at home and in America for the actions of the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries The war was costing a great deal of money De Valera and Lloyd George agreed to a ceasefire on 11 July 1921

The Anglo Irish Treaty, 1921: Arthur Griffith, Michael Collins etc.. Went to London to negotiate with the British. Dev refused- he was head of state, wanted to control extremists at home Lloyd George and Winston Churchill led the Br. Govt Aims: SF 1) A republic 2) To have no border between North/South BR. 1) Keep Ir. Within Br. Empire (Commonwealth) On Dec. 6 1921: Anglo-Irish Treaty signed

The Anglo Irish Treaty Ir. Known as Irish Free State Ir. Still part of Br. Commonwealth King of Eng represented in Ir. By Governor General Members of Dail and Seanad take an oath of allegiance to Ir. Govt and King of Eng. Br. Would have use of 3 ports Boundary Commission would be established to decide on North/South Border

The Irish Civil War: Pro-Treaty IRA =Free State Army/Regulars Anti-Treaty IRA= Republicans/Irregulars Anti-Treaty IRA took over Four Courts in April 1922. Collins did not attack them because he hoped for peace General Election in June 22 gave huge majority in favour of Treaty Republicans captured a Free State General Collins and Griffith decided to act

The Fighting Begins: FS army led by Collins shelled the Four Courts. Rep. Surrendered there and in Dublin within a week IR. Set up a Munster Rep. Limerick and Waterford easily captured IR. Retreated to the countryside August 1922: Griffith dies of brain haemorrhage. Collins killed in ambush in Cork. W.T Cosgrave and Kevin o’ Higgins new leaders

Guerrilla Warfare: Republicans resorted to guerrilla warfare BUT Most people now supported the Treaty FS army knew the countryside as well as Rep Civil War became very bitter. Both sides carried out brutal killings Leader of Rep, Liam Lynch killed in April. 23 War ended in May

The New State: Pro-Treaty party= Cumann na nGaedheal formed a govt. Led by Cosgr. Law and Order: New unarmed police force, Garda Siochana (‘guardians of the peace) Court system was reorganised Public safety Act gave govt wide powers of arrest

The Army Mutiny: Army Mutiny in 1924 was biggest threat to face the govt. FS army reduced by 40,000. Caused dissatisfaction Higgins (Minister for Home Affairs/Justice) arrest officers and Richard Mulcahy (Minister for Defence) resigned This was important in establishing democracy

The Economy: C na G believed that farming was more important than industry Setting quality standards for eggs, meat and butter Improving animal breeding methods Providing loans for farmers Having low taxes to keep the cost of farming down Built Shannon Scheme to provide electricity. Started ESB

Relations with Britain: Nationalists hoped Boundary Commission would make Northern Ireland so small that it would be forced to join the South Irish represented by Eoin MacNeill However, Boundary Commission made only minor changes, wanted to exchange land from Free State to NI and vice vearsa Cosgrave complained to Br. Border stayed the same

Ir. In the Commonwealth: Ir govt worked with Canada, Australia, and South Africa to gain full independence for the country 1931: Statute of Westminster-Any Commonwealth country could change laws passed by Br. Govt Major achievement of C na G-supported Collin’s view of ‘stepping stone’ to independence

The origins of Fianna Fail: After Civil War, Dev and SF refused to enter the Dail because of oath of allegiance=abstentionism. Dev realised this would not work Founded Fianna Fail in 1926. IRA shot Kevin O’Higgins. FF made to swear oath of allegiance FF main opposition party. Won 1932 general election and formed a new govt.

Fianna Fail in Power: Dev wanted to dismantle (take apart) the Anglo Irish Treaty Between 1932-37, he passed a series of laws that gave greater independence to Ireland Dev abolished the oath of allegiance Boycotted the Governor General and abolished it in 1937 Removed the king as head of state

New Constitution: Dev’s new constitution was called, ‘Bunreacht na hEireann Irish Free State changed to Ireland Articles 2+3 claimed right to rule over Northern Ireland Head of state=President=Douglas Hyde Head of govt=Taoiseach State recognised special position of Catholic Church People passed the constitution in a referendum in 1937.

The IRA AND THE BLUESHIRTS: IRA prisoners released by Dev fought with Cumann na nGaehhael supporters. Army Comrades Association (ACA) protected C na G ACA known as Blueshirts- Led by Eoin O’Duffy Dev regarded the Blueshirts as fascists and banned a march in 1933. Blueshirts joined with C na G to become Fine Gael. Duffy=leader Duffy was a poor leader and replaced by Cosgrave.

The Economic War: Relations with Britain: Dev stopped paying land annunities (payments for loans by Br. Govt) Br. Put taxes (tariffs) on Irish cattle. Economic war between Ir vs. Br Unemployment rose and exports of live cattle collapsed Anglo Irish Agreement, 1938: End of Economic War Dev agreed to pay a lump sum of £10 million (€ 12.7 million) to Br Tariffs dropped by both countries Ir. Govt got back control of 3 ‘Treaty ports’ (Berehaven, Cobh, Lough Swilly). Helped Ireland stay neutral during WW2

The Emergency: Ireland During World War 2: Ireland remained neutral. Dev wanted neutrality because: It showed Ireland’s independence of Britain Northern Ireland was still part of the UK Ir. Was too weak to fight stronger countries Govt passed the Emergency Powers Act which gave it great power to control the country.

Neutrality in Action: Army increased from 20,000 to 250,000 soldiers Ir. Govt favoured the Allies (Br. Fr + US) Allied plans allied to fly out over Donegal from NI German airmen were imprisoned, but Br + US airmen released over the border

Shortages and Rationing: Shortages of raw materials during the war Rationing of food, clothes, footwear and petrol Turf replaced coal as fuel. Factories had to lay off workers. Agriculture was hit due to shortage of fertilizers Lack of jobs causes heavy emigration

The First Inter-Party Govt, 1948-51: 1948, Dev was defeated People wanted a change Shortage continued after the war, so did unemployment and emigra. First Inter party govt- FG, Labour and Clann na Poblachta

Work of the Inter-Party Govt: 1949: Ir. declared a Repub Govt encouraged the growth of industry Scheme of rural electrification Dr. Noel Browne worked hard to improve public health. He planned to give free medical help to mothers but was opposed by Catholic church. Govt collapsed soon after

Ireland in the 1950’s Govts failed to cope with high unemployment and high emigration 1959: Dev resigned as leader of FF and as Taoiseach. Sean Lemass replaced him

Sean Lemass and the 1960’s: Lemass appointed younger ministers to govt. These included Jack Lynch, Charles Haughey and Donagh O’Malley Lemass encouraged exports and gave tax concessions and grants to attract foreign country Employment rose and emigration stopped. Relations with NI improved 1968: Free secondary school education New shopping centres, more tourists, CC brought reforms and TV

Years of uncertainty, 1966-85: Lemass retired in 1966, succeeded by Jack Lynch.Faced violence in NI Some nationalists in the South wanted to take an active part in NI Believed Irish army should be sent to Derry to defend nationalists 1970: Lynch faced a crisis when he dismissed two govt ministers because they tried to illegally transport arms to NI

Ireland and the EEC: A referendum (a vote of the people) in 1972 resulted in a huge majority in favour of joining the European Economic Community Ir + Br. Joined on January 1st, 1973. Effects Farmers were better off. Got better prices and grants Foreign companies, especially American wanted to use Ireland as base for European market Ireland benefitted from aid (grants) to provide job training and to improve roads, sewerage and telephone services

The coalition govt: Lynch and FF defeated in 1973 General election. Coalition govt led by FG and Lab formed by Liam Cosgrave Govt had two major problems Econ in trouble. Unemployment + inflation. More taxes/borrowing Troubles in NI worsened. More Rep and Loyalist violence FF returns in 1977. Promised to abolish taxes. Lynch replaced by Charles Haughey

Political Developments in the 1980s: Economic problems of high unemployment + inflation Many coaltion govts of FG + Lab or FF Coal govt of FG/Lab led by Garret Fitzgerald negotiated Anglo-Irish agreement in 1985 Agreement between Br (Led by Margaret Thatcher) and Ir (Fitzgerald) Ir,. Have a say in running of NI. Major achievement